Simple Things Turn Magical

I know Valentine's has come and gone, but I wanted to share what my beau and I made for each other. It is so wonderful dating someone who also loves creating, building, and using his imagination. We had picked out some vintaged maps at the Flea Market recently, and he used this old Buffalo map (my hometown) to create a handsome piece of art by designing and carving a lino-block stencil for it. I just adore it! If you want a custom stencil, he makes plenty. Feel free to comment and he'll get in touch with you. Here he is, putzing away on his design machine (laptop).

I painted our silhouettes in gouache, which you know I've been practicing with. I plan to do more silhouettes! Do you want one? I think they make such an elegant, personal gift.

St. Valentine

February 13th, I finally took down my Christmas decorations and dead tree. And the only reason I did so was my excitement for the next holiday, Valentines Day! I just love hearts, red and pink, love, romance. For a few years, all my decor was literally white with splashes of red and hearts. Anyhow, time did not allow to make anything especially cute like this banner. Ah well, I always have doilies and vintage pop-up valentines to fall back on!

I hope you all have a lovely Valentine's day with your true loves, friends, and family. If you're looking for a little soundtrack to add to the magic of your day, enjoy this music from my friends, Get Better.

A Treat for Valentines

A few weeks ago, some friends and I packed up a warm picnic for a cold winter's afternoon. A heavy fog settled the outskirts of Nashville, and we gazed upon it's beauty while sipping raspberry wine, eating brie and sandwiches wrapped in brown paper and baker's twine at Arrington Vineyards. Hannah made delicious madelines, and you can find the recipe here.

We snuck in some New Belgium Abbey and took photos of the new pint glasses I have been etching. You can buy them for your Valentine here and here! As always, please feel free to request custom etchings.

(photos courtesy of Rebekka and Hannah)

Fancy Girls & Turban Bands

I visited my sweet friend Carrie Ann at Local Honey to drop off another batch of tuban/ bow bands to keep those ears warm in the crisp winter weather. We had a few minutes of fun, frolicking around the shop for me to take some quick photos. Thanks Carrie Ann!
Recently, I gave my dear friend Crystal a blog-makeover. She has wonderful and creative suggestions to live a fancy life on a dime. Here's a quick before and after shot, but please visit her blog to see for yourself!
BEFORE:

AFTER:

January Wedding

Celebration! My sweet friend Kirsten has married her dream man. They have a darling love story based on many years of friendship, and I was honored to be a part of their Alabama wedding just a couple weeks ago. It was casual and fun, with quaint little nuances woven throughout. We hung colorful mini penant-strings throughout twigs in the small, cozy chapel. Heirloom quilts decorated the dance floor in the ballroom. Mason jars and cheesecakes were everywhere! Many of Kirsten's friends helped with elements of the wedding. Two of her friends photographed the event. The photos included here were taken by Mandii, more by Daniel are seen here. I made the groom's and groomsmen bowties (as seen). Another friend made the bouquets. Another friend made about 20 cheesecakes (flavours included blueberry lemonade, coffee and donuts, ginger pear, pumpkin spice, etc) Other friends played bluegrass. Kirsten was a beautiful, shining star, and her handsome husband Josh was right by her side, swingin' her around while we all square danced the night away.

Can't say I don't love a good promenade.

Tennessee Baby

And... they're on their way! Feather & Belle have played 3 shows in Utah, and they're onto their final Sundance show tonight. So exciting for them! And if I haven't raved about their album enough... please. Do yourself a favour and get a copy! Here are some peepshots of the treats I woodburned and stitched up for their stage.

Also.. some darling friends and I took an absolutely wonderful picnic to the vineyard on Sunday. It was a cool... foggy... and somewhat gloomy day. But we brought a table full of sunshine! Pictures to come.

Feather & Belle.. & Sundance!

Two of my lovely, sweet friends have been working on a fun musical project called Feather & Belle. It's the kind of music you just want playing in your apartment, or in the car, or at work... while shaking your hips and singing along, not even realizing it's been looping for hours. (Obviously I'm guilty of this) Anyhow, one thing led to another for these talented ladies, and next week they'll be playing their FIRST show... at Sundance! As if this isn't exciting enough, they asked me to help work on their set design for the show. Here's a little snippet of my progress from yesterday. Enjoy their music video in the meantime, and find them on iTunes if you like what you see.